MONTGOMERY, Alabama— Ruben Greenwood's family has not been affected by cancer. He has healthy children, a healthy grandson. His mother is well.

His drive around the state in a 1983 Austin Mini this week to raise awareness for cancer has nothing to do with himself, family, or loved ones. The Helena native decided to embark on this journey simply because he felt led to do so.

"One Lap of Alabama" began Sunday in Birmingham. Greenwood and his friend, Manuel Barje, who is driving a 1966 Morris Mini for the same cause — his sister is a breast cancer survivor — stopped in Montgomery on Monday evening. They spent some time at the state Capitol building Tuesday morning before heading south.

"There are a lot of people who are affected by cancer," Greenwood said. "You can't shake a stick without finding someone whose family hasn't been affected by this. So hopefully this will make a little bit of a difference. That's what I'm looking for. Just a little bit of a difference."

Greenwood began planning the trip June 7, and has partnered with the American Cancer Society in raising awareness in the state, as well as donations for Alabama chapters. He plans to travel to Mobile, Tuscaloosa, Florence, Huntsville and Gadsden before returning to Birmingham on Saturday.

Greenwood said the inspiration for his trip came from a man named John Nikas, who is making the same journey on a larger scale through an initiative he calls "Drive Away Cancer." Nikas, a California native and cancer survivor, is traveling throughout the U.S. on a 7,000-mile trek to raise money for various cancer groups.

Greenwood hasn't set a monetary goal.

"It would be nice to, but it would either disappoint me or surprise me," he said. "Donations have been very generous and very good thus far. I've gotta tell you, I've had a lot of fun on this drive so far."

While in the River Region, the British Motoring Club of Montgomery met with Greenwood and Barje here, and also in Auburn.

"They've been a huge supporter," he said. "I'm just blown away. Great people."

The decision to drive Minis on the trip was simple: They are appealing, eye-catching and making the trip in any other car wouldn't grab people's attention.

"These cars attract attention, and that's what we're trying to do, raise awareness," Greenwood said. "And the best way to raise awareness is to attract attention."

The duo's next stop is in Mobile, where several British car clubs will greet them, and where they also will meet with the local cancer society.

Barje, who lives in Rainbow City, said making the trip is "something we could do."

"You could write a check or you could do something. And I just thought this was something I could do to help," he said.

And driving across the state in the Minis makes a difference, he said.

"If we were doing this in Toyotas or Chevys, nobody would look. If we were doing it in two SUVs, nobody would take notice," Barje said. "But because we're doing it in this (Minis), people stop and ask what we are doing and how they can donate."

Greenwood is taking a week's vacation from his job at PWBA Architects Inc. in Birmingham, a Montgomery-based firm.

"This is my time, my expense," he said. "I'm doing this out of need. We're having just a lot of fun doing it and just look forward to being able to meet a lot of people."